Six years and $700 million later, the Bolshoi Theater is set to open

A view of the main hall of the renovated Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, Russia, Oct. 8 The reconstruction and restoration works of the Bolshoi Theatre took six years; the Grand Opening is scheduled for Oct. 28.

Anton Golubev / Reuters

The foyer of Moscow's Bolshoi theatre Oct. 24.

Maxim Shipenkov / EPA

The main hall of the renovated Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, Oct.8.

Natalia Kolesnikova / AFP - Getty Images

The so-called 'Czar's Box' in the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, on Oct. 8. The restored Moscow landmark built in the 1820s is due to reopen on October 28.

Anton Golubev / Reuters

Visitors walk in the newly refurbished foyer of Moscow's Bolshoi theatre Oct. 24. Moscow's historic theatre is set to reopen with a gala performance on Friday after six years of closure for renovation.

Natalia Kolesnikova / AFP - Getty Images

People take photos in front of the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, on Sep. 27.

I went to this theater once before the refurbishing and I thought it was beautiful then. I can't imagine how exciting it must be for Moscow residents to see this wonderful place restored and reopened after such a long time. The theater, home of the famous Bolshoi Ballet, has survived three fires, bombing during WWII and at one time was set over an underground river. Full story.